Here's How to Cut The Wait Time at Mom's Fave Restaurant

If you're thinking of taking your mom out for dinner this Mother's Day, prepare for some seriously longer-than-usual wait times. Two out of every five people plan on skipping the dishes and treating Mom to a restaurant meal this Sunday—up from one in four back in 2013, according to the National Restaurant Association—which means your family might start biting each other's heads off long before you get a table. (Hey, hanger is real.)

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

However, there is hope—even if reservations aren't an option. Try these tactics.

1. Treat Mom To Brunch Instead.

Olive Garden's opening early this Sunday (at 10:30 a.m.!), so if you swoop in early, you can snag all of the soup, salad and breadsticks you want before the crowds rush in.

Facebook/Olive Garden

Most Popular

Nearly half of all families the National Restaurant Association polled plan on going out to dinner this year, so if you're planning to cook Mom one meal that day, make it that one. (We've got some ideas for you!) Comparatively, 26 percent of people plan on treating their mamas to brunch, though your best bet is treating her to breakfast: Only about 1 in 10 plan on doing that. Plus you have the rest of the day ahead of you to take Mom to a movie, the beach or, you know, split a Groupon for skydiving.

2. Skip Seafood.

If your Mom really wants Red Lobster, scroll on to tip No. 3, because that woman gave birth to you and dealt with your *NSYNC phase, so she deserves shrimp scampi and Cheddar Bay Biscuits. However, if you're tossing around a bunch of ideas and can't settle on a certain type of food, go for anything but seafood—it's what 1 in 4 Moms are asking for, so you better believe any restaurants known for grilling up The Little Mermaid's pals will be extra-busy.

3. Try This Google Trick.

When you search for any restaurant using Google, the search engine pops up a box in the top right that shows the place closest to you, hours, recent reviews and—if you scroll just a little bit further—a bar graph. Don't overlook that! It reveals the busiest time of day for that particular location, based on foot traffic, and you can toggle the dropdown menu just above it to switch the day.

Estimate that Mother's Day will be twice as busy as whatever it shows, but it will give you a decent idea of the best time to stop by.

GIF

Google

4. Check the Restaurant's App.

Some restaurants let you get on the wait list before you've even decided what pants to wear to dinner. Chili's, Outback and Carrabba's both have features on their apps that can let you discreetly add your name to the list, so by the time you arrive, you can make Mom look like a total VIP and head directly to your table. (Chili's app, for example, also lets you know how long you have to get to the restaurant.)

5. Try Takeout.

Just because you're ordering lunch or dinner to-go doesn't mean your meal has to be any less special. Only 8 percent of people plan on choosing this option, but with a little creativity, it can be the most memorable way to spend Mother's Day: Order your favorite dishes and take them to a park or the beach to watch the sunset.